Drugs & Pharmacies

Emily Savage and Michael Daher, who manage Myrtle Drugs in Myrtle Creek, told the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee during an online hearing on Jan. 24, 2023, that pharmacy benefit managers' business practices are destabilizing independent pharmacies. | SCREENGRABS VIA OLIS.OREGONLEGISLATURE.GOV/THE LUND REPORT

Drug supply companies squeezing pharmacies out of existence, Oregon lawmakers warn Premium

Seven bills, featuring bipartisan support, aim to clamp down on pharmacy benefit managers.

Jan 26, 2023

A group of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at a Walgreens in Vancouver, Washington voted Sept. 3, 2024, to become the first workplace in the Pacific Northwest to join The Pharmacy Guild, a union created specifically to represent pharmacy workers. | COURTESY/THE PHARMACY GUILD

Vancouver workers’ vote reflects new pharmacy union organizing

Workplace will be first in Pacific Northwest to join Pharmacy Guild, and organizers say they’re working on others in Oregon and Washington

Sep 10
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A Fred Meyer store in Tigard, Oregon. Kroger owns the Fred Meyer brand. | TADA IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK

Pharmacies hang in the balance as a Portland federal judge considers Kroger-Albertsons merger

Two supermarket chains want to merge while selling off 62 stores in Oregon, but regulators say the company that would buy them has scant experience running pharmacies and consumers could be the losers

Aug 27
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SHUTTERSTOCK

New pharmacy union organizes in greater Portland

Pharmacy workers at a Vancouver Walgreens have become the seventh group to file with The Pharmacy Guild, a union formed to address increased pressures on pharmacy workers

Aug 15
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The Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse in downtown Portland, Oregon. | COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Lawsuit accusing Oregon firm of pharmacy conspiracy appealed

Federal judges disagree over a lawsuit alleging Portland-based LegitScript worked with regulators and the pharmaceutical industry to keep drug prices high and hurt a New York company's business

May 28
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U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, center, speaks about the multibillion-dollar advertising campaigns on behalf of Medicare Advantage plans during an event Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, sponsored by the Urban League of Portland at the Hattie Redmond Apartments in North Portland. | PETER WONG/©PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP USED HERE WITH PERMISSION

Wyden wants to know how Pfizer cut its U.S. tax bill despite booming sales

Pifzer is the latest company to come under scrutiny by the Senate Finance Committee and Oregon’s senior U.S. senator as they look into pharmaceutical company tax practices

May 23
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Ralph Magrish, executive director of the Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board, said the pharmaceutical industry is spreading misinformation about proposed price caps at the board's April 17, 2024 meeting. | SCREENSHOT

Drugmakers’ price-cap claims are ‘Chicken Little,’ state official says

The pharmaceutical industry and patient groups are opposing a price cap proposal headed for lawmakers, prompting a prominent state staffer to speak out

Apr 30
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A mix of colorful pills spread out on a counter.

FREESTOCKS/UNSPLASH

Kroger-Albertsons deal puts Oregon’s health care merger program to the test

In a state where retail pharmacies have been disappearing fast, merger of pharmacy operators could hurt Oregonians' access. The state has scheduled a public hearing for comment.

Apr 16
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Hundreds of colorful pills falling onto a surface

AREK SOCHA/PIXABAY

Drugmakers step up attacks on Oregon board eyeing price caps

Upcoming hearings could build case for state limits on prescription drug prices

Mar 26
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Oregon State Capitol in Salem. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon legislative session’s early end closed curtain on significant health care bills

Bills concerning treatment centers, violence against hospital staff, school health and insurance mandates perished, but other impactful bills made it through

Mar 12
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